Suddenly pale clown fish

[scubajay16]

Overnight my ocellaris clown went pale. All of his black is now white. I checked the water specs: ph 8.2, ammonia 0, nitrites 0, nitrates 20. The tank has been running for 3 months. I put a Bengaii Cardinal and a Turbo snail in 3 weeks ago, the clown and 2 peppermint shrimp Thursday. Everyone else looks fine. He seems to be swimming erratically and is bumping into things. Please help

 

[Mr. Limpid]

A picture would help and double check your pramas again. Is he eating?

 

[scubajay16]

A picture would help and double check your pramas again. Is he eating?

The pajama looks great

 

[scubajay16]

The pajama looks great

I will get a picture when I get home from work.

 

[Mr. Limpid]

LOL, no check your perimeters again, ammonia, nitrates, PH and temp.

 

[scubajay16]

LOL, no check your perimeters again, ammonia, nitrates, PH and temp.

Ok. Sounds like a plan

 

[HotRocks]

Is he staying discolored when lights are on?
Any other visual symptoms?

 

[scubajay16]

Is he staying discolored when lights are on?
Any other visual symptoms?

He was perfectly fine yesterday. This morning at 4 he was almost completely white. When I left at 7, he seemed less pale but not normal. I will check at lunch and see what he looks like

 

[HotRocks]

Are your tank lights on at 4am? What I am getting at is, if your lights are off, fish naturally lose color at night as a form of protection.

 

[scubajay16]

I was getting ready for work and wanted to check on everyone before I left

 

[scubajay16]

Are your tank lights on at 4am? What I am getting at is, if your lights are off, fish naturally loose color at night as a form of protection.

He's completely back to normal now. Could the disorientation while swimming be because of the suddeness of the light? I'm new to salt water. The saltwater life is so much different than freshwater

 

[HotRocks]

He's completely back to normal now. Could the disorientation while swimming be because of the suddeness of the light? I'm new to salt water. The saltwater life is so much different than freshwater

Absolutely, it's no different than a human being exposed to bright light instantly from pitch dark. We just cover our eyes, which fish don't have that ability, so they scramble.

If the fish was darting when you turned the light on that's not abnormal. Especially if your using a simple on/off type light.

For example I don't see that behavior in my DT, because my lights are led and ramp up/down over a few hr time period.

 

[DancingShark]

Most fish lose color when sleeping

 

[scubajay16]

Absolutely, it's no different than a human being exposed to bright light instantly from pitch dark. We just cover our eyes, which fish don't have that ability, so they scramble.

If the fish was darting when you turned the light on that's not abnormal. Especially if your using a simple on/off type light.

For example I don't see that behavior in my DT, because my lights are led and ramp up/down over a few hr time period.

I really appreciate your help! Thank you. I thought he was dying

 

[HotRocks]

I really appreciate your help! Thank you. I thought he was dying

No problem! I think he's probably just fine. Keep an eye on him, but I wouldn't worry.

 

[Catalina]

I have a little be of the same problem but one is fine the other one is changing colors , the one is normal is chasing the other one and making his life Miserable ( hope he is not going to kill him )
Is this normal ?

 

[DancingShark]

This will be normal. They establish dominance that way. The winner becomes the female and gets bigger.
And what do you mean changing color.?

How long has this been going on?

 

[Catalina]

They are black and the one is been attack is less black , like turning back , less black
They almost the same size , I am afraid they are both female ....

 

[Catalina]

Is been going on like 2 days changing color , and attacking one week

 

[Catalina]

My fish is back to normal [emoji226][emoji6][emoji8]